Learn More About Fly Fishing Line

Cast Out With Performance Fly Fishing Line

From ocean shorelines to a riverside bank, bring in your game fish with the help of performance fly fishing line.

Fishing flies are essentially weightless and you need the weight of your line to carry them to your target. Whether you’re a veteran fly angler or just setting out on your first fly fishing outing, find the right line for your rod with the collection at DICK’S Sporting Goods.

The latest fly fishing lines are designed to deliver maximum memory for better control. Friction-reducing technology helps line stay cleaner and float better. Species-specific line helps you shore up your chances of a catch, whether you’re after a hefty steelhead or stream trout.

Shop the brands experienced anglers trust, including RIO®, Berkley® and many others.

The right fly line can take your rod’s performance to new heights. Fly fishing line comes in two general categories: floating line and sinking line:

Floating Fly Line is ultra-versatile for a variety of fishing conditions. The entire body of the line floats on the surface of the water.

Sinking Fly Line is used for fishing just beneath the water’s surface. Sink-tip fly line is used to sink just a portion of your line. This is useful in all types of fly fishing, but particularly for wet fly or streamer fishing. Conventional sinking fly line involves the entire line sinking under the water.

Fly line also comes in two basic shapes, sometimes called tapers. Double-taper fly fishing lines are a standard fly line design that works well in small to medium size bodies of water and with moderate-distance casts. These lines feature a heavier mid-section, or belly, that tapers back to small loops on each end. These reversible lines are not well suited for distance casting.

Weight-forward lines are better for distance casting with a heavy fly. They begin with the belly of the line and taper outward into a thin, low-fiction portion. This design allows the line to shoot through guides with minimal resistance.

Most fly anglers use a mid-weight line, as they offer better versatility. Use a colored fly line to follow your cast in the water. A clean line is essential for your day by the water. Many fly lines are treated with a slick coating that repels dirt and debris.

The leader of your fly line refers to the low-visibility connection between your fly line and your fly. The leader helps ensure your fly looks more realistic to your fish—if a fish can see your line, you might just scare them off. The leader length should be about the same length as your rod, sometimes slightly shorter in windy conditions.

The tippet is the most delicate part of the leader that attaches to your fly. The mid-section of your leader tapers down to the tippet.